Meat and seafood processing plants expose workers to a range of potential hazards, whether it’s in wet processing areas, cold rooms and freezers, or during clean-down.
To protect them and comply with hygiene and safety standards, it’s crucial to buy the right workwear.
This guide runs through tips and advice for buying waterproof workwear for meat processing facilities, including a look at the best materials to choose.
What waterproof gear do meat and seafood processing workers need?
Meat and seafood processing workers need gear that is fully waterproof, as well as providing chemical and wash-down resistance. Full body coverage is important, which means layering of aprons, sleeves and boots for wet, cold, high-throughput processing floors.
While workwear should be tailored to specific tasks, gear for these environments should ideally consist of:
- A heavy duty PVC apron – to shield the front of the body from fluids, fats and water during cutting, gutting, processing, washing and cleaning
- Neoprene protective sleeves – to protect arms and prevent water from running down into gloves
- Waterproof gloves – to protect hands and maintain grip when handling wet or cold products
- Waterproof trousers – worn under aprons to keep the torso and legs dry
- Gumboots or safety wellingtons – to protect feet from standing water, blood and cleaning chemicals
- Insulated, waterproof jackets – especially when working in cold store or freezer environments
Head and neck covers may also be required, depending on the nature of the work.
What makes food processing wash-down different from other industries?
In any industry involved with food production for human consumption, hygiene is a top priority. Processing plants need to adhere to strict food safety regulations, involving frequent sanitising and careful management of cold and wet conditions in order to stay compliant.
This not only means ensuring that facilities are thoroughly cleaned and all food safety processes managed. It also means that the kit that cleaning crews wear should be thoroughly cleaned between uses.
This is what makes choice of material so important. You need materials that don’t absorb contaminants and that can be easily and thoroughly cleaned down after wear.
PVC vs PU vs Flexothane – which is right for a processing floor?
When searching for heavy duty waterproof workwear for meat and seafood processing, you’re likely to come across three main materials – PVC, PU and Flexothane.
But which is the best choice? Here’s a quick comparison of all three, so you choose the right option for the nature of the environment and the work:
| Material | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | Heavy, frequent wash-down | Less flexible in cold |
| PU | Lighter, more flexible wear | Less abrasion resistance |
| Flexothane | Cold-store / low-temp environments | Higher cost |
Apron, sleeve and boot pairing recommendations
For effective protection, you should aim to combine waterproof workwear according to the level of water, chemical and contamination exposure:
- For heavy wash-down: heavy-duty PVC apron + neoprene sleeves + waterproof safety wellingtons
- For meat processing: PVC apron + protective sleeves + slip-resistant safety boots
- For seafood processing: PVC apron + commercial fishing sleeves + waterproof safety wellingtons
- For cold environments: waterproof apron + insulated sleeves and gloves + insulated waterproof boots
Shop specialist waterproof food processing workwear with Stormline
If you need heavy-duty, sector-specific workwear that really is up to the task, it pays to buy it from a specialist.
Stormline is the provider of choice for leading food processing businesses all over the world, with a range of heavy duty commercial aprons and sleeves.
Popular choices for meat and fish processing workwear include:
Shop the range here – or get in touch for buying advice or info on bulk purchases.
FAQs
What’s the difference between PVC and Flexothane for food processing?
PVC offers excellent waterproofing and protection from oil and chemicals, but Flexothane may have the advantage in cold-store or freezer environments. However, it does tend to be more expensive.
Do processing plant aprons need to be food-safety certified?
There isn’t a standalone food safety certificate for processing plant aprons. What matters is that the gear is fit for purpose, easy to clean down and kept in good condition. Requirements for work in direct contact with food vary by country and by the standard your plant is audited against, so check what your own food safety scheme asks for, and ask your supplier for documentation covering that specific use before you buy.
How often should wash-down gear be replaced in a processing environment?
Wash-down workwear should be inspected regularly and replaced whenever it shows signs of wear or deterioration. The schedule for replacement may depend on fabric type and exposure to chemicals.